The Weight of Trust

The afternoon sun slanted into the Class B classroom, gilding the neat rows of desks in a warm, golden hue. The lingering echoes of the final bell still hung in the air, and most students were leisurely packing their bags, discussing dinner plans or where to go to unwind for the evening. The relaxed, cheerful atmosphere was no different from any other day.

However, the heart of Ichinose Honami felt as if it were being pulled taut by an invisible thread, unable to blend into this sense of ease. She took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for a decision, her fingertips turning slightly white from the pressure. Instead of joining the girls' chatter as she usually did, she picked up her bag and headed straight for the classroom door.

"Honami, are you coming to karaoke later?" a girl asked enthusiastically.

Ichinose stopped in her tracks and returned a slightly apologetic smile, the sunlight catching her pink-gold hair and creating a soft halo. "Sorry, I have something I need to discuss with Hoshinomiya-sensei. You guys go ahead."

Her smile remained warm, but those who were observant might have caught a hint of gravity hidden behind it. She walked quickly out of the classroom, the sound of her heels clicking against the floor echoing through the corridor with an undeniable sense of urgency.

Standing before the door of the teachers' office, Ichinose took another deep breath to steady her racing heart before giving a light knock.

"Come in~" came the voice of Hoshinomiya Chie, carrying that signature lazy, honeyed tone.

Ichinose pushed the door open and entered. Hoshinomiya was sitting behind her desk, cradling a steaming cup of black tea. Seeing her, a playful smile appeared on her face: "Oh my, it's Ichinose-san, what a rare guest. What's the matter? Have you run into some trouble? I'd be more than happy to be your confidante~"

Ichinose walked up to the desk, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, yet her tone was exceptionally firm: "Hoshinomiya-sensei, I want to confirm something with you. In this school, does a 'expulsion' mechanism truly exist? And the personal points we receive each month—are they not fixed, and could they even... drop to zero?"

The hand holding the teacup froze. Hoshinomiya's smile didn't falter, but a flicker of imperceptible delight flashed deep within her eyes. She blew gently on the steam of her tea and, instead of answering directly, countered with a question: "Why do you ask, Ichinose-san? Have you heard some interesting rumors?"

"Please answer me directly, Sensei." Ichinose's gaze did not waver, her azure eyes filled with determination. "This concerns the future of every student in Class B. Furthermore, I want to know how many personal points I would need to pay to obtain information regarding the operating rules of this school—or, in other words, the 'truth'."

Hoshinomiya stared at Ichinose for a few seconds, as if evaluating her resolve. A moment later, she set down her cup, leaned forward slightly, and whispered in that unique tone of hers, as if sharing a secret: "Truly remarkable, Ichinose. Only a week into the semester, and you've already touched upon the core issue. However, I cannot tell you." She held up two fingers and wiggled them in front of Ichinose. "As for the price of the 'truth'... the official price is two million personal points. No discounts."

"Sensei, you... you didn't deny it..."

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, hearing the 'confirmation' from her homeroom teacher and the astronomical figure of "two million" caused Ichinose's heart to plummet. She felt a chill rise from the soles of her feet, spreading instantly through her entire body. It wasn't a guess, nor was it alarmism; it was cold, cruel reality.

"...I understand. Thank you very much, Hoshinomiya-sensei." Ichinose's voice was a bit dry, but she struggled to maintain her composure. After bowing, she exited the office.

The door closed behind her, cutting off Hoshinomiya's meaningful gaze. Ichinose leaned her back against the cold wall and let out a slow, heavy breath. She raised her hand and looked at her slightly trembling fingertips, while the image of Natsukawa Sosuke's seemingly casual yet certain expression surfaced in her mind.

He actually... got it all right. And the price is really only half...

A complex emotion churned within her—shock at the cruel rules, worry for the future, but more than anything, a intense curiosity and an indescribable sense of trust toward that mysterious boy. How on earth did he notice and discover this, why did he want to help her, and who exactly was he?

The next morning, in the Class B classroom.

There was still some time before the morning class, and most of the students had already arrived. Unlike the usual vibrant morning scene, the atmosphere in the classroom today felt somewhat heavy. Ichinose Honami stood on the podium, her hands resting on the edge, her gaze sweeping over every familiar face below. The brilliant, snow-melting smile she usually wore was gone, replaced by a rare, calm, and serious expression.

"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment. I have something very important that I need to tell you." Her voice carried clearly to every corner of the room; the murmurs that had been present vanished instantly, and all eyes focused on her.

Ichinose clearly and calmly recounted her suspicions regarding the school's facade as a "paradise," as well as the information she had 'confirmed' from Hoshinomiya-sensei the day before. She did not mention Natsukawa's name, referring to him only as "Friend A."

"...In summary," Ichinose's voice trembled slightly, "the school's so-called 'meritocracy' is real. Poor performance will not only result in the loss of personal points, but may even... lead to the penalty of 'expulsion'."

"Whoa—!"

Like a heavy bomb dropped into a calm lake, the entire Class B classroom exploded into chaos!

"Ex... expulsion?!!"

"Ichinose-san, is this true? Did Hoshinomiya-sensei say this herself?"

"Have we been lied to?"

Panic, disbelief, anger... various emotions intertwined on the students' faces. They exchanged panicked glances, as if the foundation they had been relying on had suddenly collapsed. Only a week into the semester, most had just begun to immerse themselves in the joy of their superior environment; this sudden news was like being slapped awake just as you had fallen into a deep sleep.

However, after the initial chaos, another emotion began to sprout—shock regarding that "Friend A."

"What kind of person... could see through all of this in such a short time?" a boy muttered to himself, his face full of disbelief.

"It's only been a week since school started! We're still busy researching which cafeteria window has the best food, and this guy is already selling the school's secrets!"

"Is this guy... even human? How did he do it? Did he get the script before he even enrolled?"

The classroom was abuzz with discussion, and everyone felt a sense of trepidation regarding this "expert" hidden in the mist. This ability to see through the smallest details, bordering on clairvoyance, left them feeling a sense of awe amidst their panic. Compared to him, they felt like infants sleeping in a cradle of comfort.

Watching the panicked students below, Ichinose's heart was also filled with wonder toward Natsukawa. She raised her hand, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

"Please, everyone, calm down!" Her voice carried a strange, soothing power that slightly quelled the commotion. "Yes, we are facing a crisis. But the person who told us this news has also given us a choice."

She paused, her gaze meeting every questioning and uneasy look with determination: "He promised that as long as we pay one million personal points, he will tell us everything he knows about the 'secrets' and rules of this school. Furthermore, he guarantees that this 'one million' will be worth every point. And I have confirmed with Hoshinomiya-sensei that if we were to buy this information, it would cost two million."

"One... one million?!"

"That's half the price Hoshinomiya-sensei mentioned!"

"But one million is still not a small amount! Should we really trust someone whose background is unknown?"

The classroom fell into an uproar once more, the shock this time even greater than before! Not only had he foreseen the crisis, but he also held a "survival guide" worth a million points? This was beyond the scope of an ordinary freshman; he was more like a strategist who had already seen the board ten moves ahead while everyone else was still learning the pieces.

"I understand everyone's hesitation and anxiety." Ichinose's voice rose slightly, filled with sincerity and strength. "I cannot force anyone to believe. But I am willing to trust him. Because he warned us while we were all still immersed in a false sense of peace. And the price he set proves his sincerity—he could have charged two million, just like the school."

She looked around at everyone, her eyes gentle yet firm: "I will give everyone one day to consider. If we decide to purchase this information, the one million points required will be split equally among all of us in Class B. This isn't just about obtaining information; it's so that we can all face the challenges of the future together, without leaving anyone behind, and move toward the future we desire!"

She didn't use any flowery language, but her heartfelt conviction to protect everyone, along with her unreserved trust and sense of responsibility, was more powerful than any speech. Many students looked at her, the panic in their eyes gradually replaced by a sense of resolve.

In the afternoon, at the end of the school day.

Just as Ichinose was preparing to leave the classroom, a steady voice called out to her.

"Ichinose."